Faith and repentance are both necessary to and the efficient cause of true spiritual conversion. Some have confused conversion with regeneration. Therefore it is necessary to distinguish clearly between these two different operations of the Spirit. The following diagram may help to distinguish conversion from regeneration.

Regeneration

Conversion

1. God is active while man is passive.

1. Both God and man are active.

2. God regenerates man in his inner being on his unconscious level.

2. Conversion takes place on man’s conscious level.

3. Regeneration is hidden and private, taking place unseen within man.

3. Conversion is open and public as well as inward.

4. No response from man included in regeneration.

4. The response of faith and repentance included in conversion.

5. No man is ever said to regenerate a sinner. Only God can “recreate,” “give birth to,” or “raise from spiritual death” sinners.